Acoustic computing systems for implant and dermal data communication, power supply and energy storage

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed to a computing system that operates at least partially through a medium, which may be a human. The computing system includes a first acoustic computing element implanted in the human. The first acoustic computing element receives input acoustic vibration. The first acoustic computing element converts a first portion of the input acoustic vibration to energy that powers an operation of the first acoustic computing element. The first acoustic computing element converts a second portion of the input acoustic vibration to stored energy of the first acoustic computing element. The first acoustic computing element converts a third portion of the input acoustic vibration to a first input data that is processed by the first acoustic computing element. The first acoustic computing element generates and transmits a first output acoustic vibration based on the first input data.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to implantable electronicmedical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to anacoustic computing system and network having at least one implant/dermalacoustic computing element, wherein the system/network enables implantand dermal data communication, power supply and energy storage.

Implantable electronic medical devices (i.e., “implants”) have enabledsignificant advances in the treatment of many challenging medicalconditions. One example is implantable pacemakers that stimulate theheart muscle to regulate its contractions. Another example is a cochlearimplant, which is an electronic device that partially restores hearingin people who have severe hearing loss due to damage of the inner ear. Aprocessor behind the ear captures and processes sound signals, which aretransmitted to a receiver that is surgically placed under the skin. Someimplants are bioactive, such as subcutaneous drug delivery devices inthe form of implantable pills or drug-eluting stents. The increasingdemand for implantable medical device technologies is fuelled by thegrowing elderly population and the general increase in chronic diseases.

Radio frequency (RF) tags have been demonstrated as implants that arecapable of transmitting RF data from inside a patient to an externaldevice capable of reading the transmitted signal. RF implant devices aretypically used subcutaneously because their RF signals do not transmitwell through an aqueous media over long distances (e.g., more than aninch or two) due to the rate at which an aqueous media attenuates andabsorbs RF signals. Additionally, due to a variety of constraints (e.g.,cost) the typical RF implant device is passive. Active RF implantdevices require power to be supplied usually by internal batteries orinductive coupling to a power supply that is external to the patient.For inductive coupling implementations, the coupling efficiency isproportional to the size of the implanted device. RF implant devicesalso raise privacy concerns because of the possibility that they canthey can be read without patient knowledge and consent.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a computing system configured to operate atleast partially through a medium. The computing system includes a firstacoustic computing element in the medium. The first acoustic computingelement is configured to receive input acoustic vibration. The firstacoustic computing element is further configured to convert a firstportion of the input acoustic vibration to energy that powers operationof the first acoustic computing element. The first acoustic computingelement is further configured to convert a second portion of the inputacoustic vibration to stored energy of the first acoustic computingelement. The first acoustic computing element is further configured toconvert a third portion of the input acoustic vibration to a first inputdata that is processed by the first acoustic computing element. Thefirst acoustic computing element is further configured to generate andtransmit a first output acoustic vibration based on the first inputdata.

Embodiments are further directed to a method of implementing an acousticcomputing system for implant or dermal data communication, power supplyand energy storage. The method includes receiving, by a first acousticcomputing element in a live medium, input acoustic vibration. The methodfurther includes converting, by the first acoustic computing element, afirst portion of the input acoustic vibration to energy that powersoperation of the first acoustic computing element. The method furtherincludes converting, by the first acoustic computing element, a secondportion of the input acoustic vibration to stored energy of the firstacoustic computing element. The method further includes converting, bythe first acoustic computing element, a third portion of the inputacoustic vibration to a first input data that is processed by the firstacoustic computing element. The method further includes generating, bythe first acoustic computing element, a first output acoustic vibrationbased on the first input data.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesdescribed herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detailherein. For a better understanding, refer to the description and to thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the present disclosure isparticularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at theconclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features andadvantages are apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an allocation of input acousticvibration/signals in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implantable acoustic computingelement in accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an implanted acoustic computing systemin accordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing additional details of the controlelectronics shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an acoustic computing network inaccordance with one or more embodiments; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an implant/dermal acoustic computingnetwork in accordance with one or more embodiments.

In the accompanying figures and following detailed description of thedisclosed embodiments, the various elements illustrated in the figuresare provided with three or four digit reference numbers. The leftmostdigit(s) of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which itselement is first illustrated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described withreference to the related drawings. Alternate embodiments may be devisedwithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. It is noted thatvarious connections are set forth between elements in the followingdescription and in the drawings. These connections, unless specifiedotherwise, may be direct or indirect, and the present disclosure is notintended to be limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling ofentities may refer to either a direct or an indirect connection.

As previously noted herein, RF tags have been demonstrated as implantsthat are capable of transmitting RF data from inside a patient to anexternal device capable of reading the transmitted signal. RF implantdevices are typically used subcutaneously because their RF signals donot transmit well through an aqueous media over long distances (e.g.,more than an inch or two) due to the rate at which an aqueous mediaattenuates and absorbs RF signals. Additionally, due to a variety ofconstraints (e.g., cost) the typical RF implant device is passive.Active RF implant devices require power to be supplied usually byinternal batteries or inductive coupling to a power supply that isexternal to the patient. For inductive coupling implementations, thecoupling efficiency is proportional to the size of the implanted device.RF implant devices also raise privacy concerns because of thepossibility that they can they can be read without patient knowledge andconsent.

Turning now to a more general overview of the present disclosure, one ormore disclosed embodiments provide an implant and/or dermal computingsystem and network that use high amplitude modulated or otherwiseencoded acoustic vibration to safely and efficiently transmit power,data, instructions, etc. bi-directionally through the relevant medium.The disclosed implant/dermal acoustic computing system/network includesone or more implant or dermal elements, along with an external controlsystem formed from external control electronics and an externaltransducer. The implant/dermal element according to the presentdisclosure is implemented as a miniaturized acoustic computing elementhaving processor, energy storage, sensing and actuating capabilities.The implant/dermal acoustic computing element efficiently partitionsreceived high amplitude modulated input acoustic vibration among theimmediate power needs of the computing element, data/instructions andenergy storage. The combination of efficient high amplitude acousticinput vibration and relatively small and efficient implant/dermalacoustic computing elements allows the implant/dermal element topartition a significant portion of the input acoustic vibration toenergy storage, thereby enabling persistent operation over relativelylong periods without needing a recharge. The persistent operation maylast a few hours or a few years depending on a variety of factors, suchas the tasks performed by the implant/dermal element, the particulardesign of the implant/dermal element, and others. In networkconfigurations of the present disclosure, acoustic computing elementsare configured to also exchange low amplitude acoustic power, data,instructions, etc. between each other. Thus, the present disclosureprovides a comprehensive acoustic computing system and network forimplant and dermal data communication, power supply and energy storage.The efficiency, intelligence, safety and flexibility of the disclosedsystem and network enable it to implement a wide variety of medicalsupport functions for patients, including storing general medicalrecords, storing specific medical condition data (e.g., that the patientis diabetic), performing drug delivery, stimulating muscles, providingidentification data (e.g., a serial number) for other implanted elementssuch as an artificial hip, and others.

Turning now to a more detailed overview of the present disclosure, oneor more embodiments provide an implant/dermal acoustic computing elementthat is capable of both being energized by an externally appliedacoustic source and of communicating and responding acoustically to thesource. The implant/dermal acoustic computing element is a physicallysmall device (e.g., approximately one centimeters or less) that isencapsulated in a biocompatible material and may be placed in or on amedium, which may be a living organism such as a human or an animal. Theimplant/dermal acoustic computing element includes input and outputpiezoelectric elements that convert acoustic/mechanical vibration toelectric signals and vice versa. Preferably, the acoustic vibration isin the ultrasonic wavelength region (e.g., 50 KHz) such that thephysical size of the implant/dermal acoustic computing element iscomparable to the length of the wavelength used, thereby improvingcoupling efficiency of the acoustic vibration. A preferred range for theultrasonic region includes, but is not limited to, approximately 50 KHzto approximately 10 MHz.

In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure there is providedan acoustic computing system and/or network for dermal and implant datacommunication, power supply and energy storage. In its simplestconfiguration, the acoustic computing system includes at least oneimplantable miniaturized acoustic computing element having atransmitter/receiver that excites a piezoelectric material to emit ordetect acoustic vibration, which is typically ultrasonic acousticvibration that has been modulated or otherwise encoded with data andinstructions. More specifically, the miniaturized acoustic computingelement is configured to received modulated acoustic vibration, converta portion of the received modulated acoustic vibration to receiveddata/instruction, process the received data/instruction, convert aportion of received modulated acoustic vibration to power that is usedto operate the acoustic computing element, convert a portion of thereceived modulated acoustic vibration to stored energy, convertprocessed data/instruction to output acoustic vibration (which may alsobe modulated or otherwise encoded) and transmit the output acousticvibration. The acoustic computing element may be implanted in virtuallyany medium. In a typical application, the medium is a live organism,such as a human or an animal. Where the live organism is a human or ananimal, the acoustic computing element may be placed in flesh (i.e.,implanted), or on, within or just under the dermas.

The acoustic computing element may be provided with controllable sensorand actuator elements. The acoustic computing element controls thesensor to measure and/or detect a parameter of the medium, including,for example, a concentration of a target substance (e.g., aconcentration of glucose in blood), a temperature, a pressure, a force,a magnetic field, an electric field, a biomarker and a chemicalpotential. As used in the present disclosure, the term biomarker refersgenerally to a measurable indicator of some biological state orcondition, including providing an indication of the existence of aliving organism. The acoustic computing element controls the actuator tocause an electrical or mechanical interaction with the medium. Examplesof actuators include valves, nanoliter dispensers, and others. Examplesof electrical interactions with the medium include a therapeuticelectrical stimulation applied to the medium. Examples of mechanicalinteractions with the medium include controlling a nanoliter dispenserthat dispenses fluids or releases a chemical to the medium.

An aspect of the present disclosure is the use of acoustic vibration totransmit signals through the medium. As previously noted herein, RFtransmissions are capable of carrying data from inside a patient to anexternal device capable of reading the transmitted signal. However,RF-based implant devices are typically restricted to subcutaneous usebecause RF does not transmit efficiently over long distances (e.g., morethan a few inches) due to absorption of the radio emissions in aqueousmedia. Acoustic vibration transmissions provide at least three features,namely, low power attenuation, low data attenuation and high safety. Forexample, it has been observed that the attenuation of ultrasonicvibration that travels approximately 6 inches through an aqueous mediumis only approximately 20 percent. The safety of ultrasonic transmissionsis demonstrated by the widespread use of ultrasonic imaging by medicalprofessionals to view an unborn fetus in the womb. The high safety andlow attenuation of acoustic vibration also enable a fourth feature ofthe present disclosure, which is the ability to safely and efficientlydeliver relatively high power acoustic vibration to the implantedacoustic computing element.

The efficient (i.e., low attenuation) delivery of high power inputacoustic vibration to the acoustic computing element enables the highpower input acoustic vibration to be efficiently partitioned by theacoustic computing element among data processing, power supply and powerstorage. More specifically, the efficient high power, modulated inputacoustic vibration efficiently wakes the implanted acoustic computingelement up, delivers information, and has enough left over to providepower for current operation and storage. The actual amount of high powerinput acoustic vibration energy that is left for storage depends on thedesign and power consumption of the acoustic computing element, which,due to its miniaturized size, can be very low. Accordingly, it isanticipated that a single charge-up will allow an implant/dermalacoustic computing element to run for a very long time (e.g., for ayear). After being powered up, the implant/dermal acoustic computingelement is now free to perform sensing or actuating operations, orsimply return data and/or instructions.

In addition to the implanted and/or dermal acoustic computing element,the acoustic computing system of the present disclosure includes acontrol system formed from a transducer and control electronics, both ofwhich are external to the medium. The control electronics and externaltransducer generate the high power data/instruction modulated inputacoustic vibration and transmits it into and through the medium to theimplanted/dermal acoustic computing element. The control electronics andexternal transducer in turn receive data/instruction modulated outputacoustic vibration transmitted by the implanted/dermal acousticcomputing element. The outputs transmitted by implant/dermal acousticcomputing element may be in response to an inquiry from the controlelectronics, or these outputs may be transmitted according to apredetermined transmission schedule regardless of whether controlelectronics are present. Control electronics is further coupled throughother networks and systems such as the internet or cellular networks.

A benefit of the disclosed acoustic computing system is that it isinherently private because it cannot be read or perturbed without theknowledge, consent and cooperation of the patient. In general, thepatient has to cooperate while someone actually places the externaltransducer against the patient's skin in order to read or otherwiseinteract with the implant/dermal acoustic computing element. Thisprivacy feature enables the disclosed systems to be used to storeconfidential and sensitive information such as patient records. Suchmedical records can be easily updated, for example during a visit to thepatient's doctor. They can also be conveniently accessed by an emergencyresponse team if the patient is in an accident. Medical records storedby the disclosed system can be considerably more extensive andcomprehensive than the general data a patient can provide verbally afteran accident. Unlike medical emergency tags, the disclosedimplanted/dermal acoustic computing elements cannot be lost.

The implant/dermal acoustic computing system may be implemented as anetwork wherein additional implant/dermal acoustic computing elementsare provided. In the network configuration, implant/dermal acousticelements may also transmit a modulated acoustic vibration between eachother, thereby enabling the implant/dermal acoustic computing network toimplement of a wide variety of coordinated activities. For example, afirst implant/dermal acoustic computing element may, according to apredetermined schedule, sense blood sugar levels of a patient, and, uponsensing that blood sugar has risen above a predetermined level, send aninstruction to a second implant/dermal acoustic computing element todispense through a nanoliter dispenser (i.e., an actuator) a dose ofmedicine to the patient. Upon detecting that the volume of medicine inits nanoliter dispenser has fallen below a predetermined level, thesecond implant/dermal acoustic computing element may send via amodulated acoustic vibration transmission an instruction to the controlelectronics to send an email to the patient reminding them that theywill be need to have the nanoliter dispenser refilled or replaced in thenext 20 days. Additionally, the second implant/dermal acoustic computingelement, upon detecting that its power is below a predetermined level,may send a power request to the first implant/dermal acoustic computingelement. If the first implant/dermal acoustic computing elementdetermines that it has stored power that it can spare, the firstimplant/dermal acoustic computing element may transmit power to thesecond implant/dermal acoustic computing element through an acoustictransmission.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the present disclosure,FIG. 1 is a graphical diagram 100 that illustrates how high power inputacoustic vibration may be allocated in accordance with one or moreembodiments. In general, diagram 100 is a graph that shows the amplitudeof modulated input acoustic vibration along a vertical axis, and theacoustic energy source and the various ways that modulated inputacoustic vibration may be used by the implant/dermal acoustic computingelement along a horizontal axis. For ease of illustration, theamplitudes of the modulated input acoustic vibration are shown aspercentages, and it is assumed that the amplitude of the modulatedacoustic vibration from an acoustic energy source is at 100 percent. Asshown, the amplitude of the modulated input acoustic vibration leavesthe acoustic energy source at 100 percent and travels through themedium, which in this example is a human patient. The human patientattenuates and reduces the amplitude of the modulated input acousticvibration as it travels through the patient by 20 percent, down to 80percent. The immediate operation of the implant/dermal computing elementuses another 10 percent of the amplitude of the modulated input acousticvibration such that 70 percent of the amplitude of the modulated inputacoustic vibration is available to be stored for future operation.

FIG. 1 also illustrates graphically how the efficient (i.e., lowattenuation) delivery of high power input acoustic vibration to theacoustic computing element enables the high power input acousticvibration to be efficiently partitioned by the acoustic computingelement among data processing, power supply and power storage. Aspreviously noted, the amount of high power input acoustic vibrationenergy that is left for storage depends on the design and powerconsumption of the acoustic computing element, which, due to itsminiaturized size, can be very low. Accordingly, it is anticipated thata single charge-up will allow an implant/dermal acoustic computingelement to run for a very long time (e.g., for a year).

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implantable acoustic computingelement 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments. Implantableacoustic computing element 200 includes an acoustic input transducer202, an input rectification and conditioning circuit 204, a signalprocessor 206, an energy storage element 208, an output driver 210, anacoustic output transducer 212, a sensor 214, an actuator 216 and anencapsulant 218, configured and arranged as shown. Acoustic computingelement 200 includes at least one acoustic-to-electric conversionelement or acoustic input transducer 202. Preferably, acoustic inputtransducer 202 is a piezoelectric material, but may also be a mechanicalelectric element such as an electret (i.e., a capacitive acoustictransducer) or magneto acoustic transducer. In one or more embodiments,the functionality of acoustic input transducer 202 and acoustic outputtransducer 210 may be integrated into a single input/output transducerelement (not shown).

In operation, high power input acoustic vibration, which is preferablyin the ultrasonic range from 5 KHz to 5 MHz, is converted to analternating electric signal by input acoustic transducer 202. Inputrectification and conditioning circuit 204, which is operationallyconnected to acoustic input transducer 202, receives the convertedalternating electric signal and generates usable electric power. Inputrectification and conditioning circuit 204 rectifies the alternatingsignal from acoustic input transducer 202 and produces a direct currentsource at a desired voltage. Input power rectification and conditioningcircuit 204 in one or more embodiments further includes and isoperationally connected to energy storage element 208, which may beimplemented as a capacitor and a battery.

Acoustic input transducer 202 is operationally connected to signalprocessor 206 either directly or through input rectification andconditioning circuit 204. Signal processor 206 receives power through aconnection to input rectification and conditioning circuit 204. Signalprocessor 206 conditions and extracts signal information that has beenmodulated on or otherwise encoded in the high amplitude input acousticvibration. Signal processor 206 further provides a programmed responseor output, which may also be modulated, to output driver 210. Theconditioning performed by signal processor 206 includes signalbuffering, amplification and windowing. Output driver 210 isoperationally connected to input rectification and conditioning circuit204 to provide a power source.

Signal processor 206 may be implemented as a simple hard wiredprogrammed circuit or as a microprocessor. In one or more embodiments,signal processor 206 responds to acoustic input vibration according apredetermined set of instructions. In one or more embodiments, signalprocessor 206 is programmable and receives program instructions from theinput acoustic vibration. The programmed set of instructions in signalprocessor 206 may include input decryption, output encryption, finiteimpulse filtration, Fourier transform signal processing, data retrieval,data processing, and sensor read/write operations.

Sensor 214 measures parameters that include, but are not limited totemperature, pressure, force, magnetic field, electric field andchemical potential. Sensor 214 is operationally connected to signalprocessor 206 and may be energized by energy storage element 208 orinput rectification and conditioning circuit 204. Similarly, actuator216 causes an electrical or mechanical action. Actuator 216 could beimplemented, for example, as a valve or a nanoliter dispenser. Actuator216 could also deliver a therapeutic electrical or mechanicalstimulation. Actuator 216 is operationally connected to signal processor206 and may be energized by energy storage element 208 or inputrectification and conditioning circuit 204.

Acoustic output signals from signal processor 206 are emitted byacoustic output transducer 212. Output driver 210 providesamplification, impedance matching and isolation between signal processor206 and acoustic output transducer 212. Acoustic output transducer 212may be implemented as a piezoelectric material, but may also beimplemented as a mechanical electric element such as an electret (i.e.,a capacitive acoustic transducer) or magneto acoustic transducer. Aspreviously noted, in one or more embodiments, the functionality ofacoustic input transducer 202 and acoustic output transducer 210 may beintegrated into a single input/output transducer element. Suitablepiezoelectric materials for use as acoustic input transducers 202 andacoustic output transducer 212 include lead zirconate titanate (PZT),quartz, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF also known as Kynar), sodiumpotassium niobate ((K,Na)NbO₃, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃), sodium niobateNaNbO₃, bismuth titanate Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂, and sodium bismuth titanateNa_(0.5)Bi_(0.5)TiO₃.

For applications in which the medium is a living organism such as ahuman or an animal, acoustic computing element 200 is fully immersed ina biocompatible encapsulant 218 to isolate its component parts from thepatient and prevent irritation and rejection. Encapsulant 218 may beimplemented as a bio compatible plastic that includes, but is notlimited to polyvinylchloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),polyethylene (PE) and medical grade silicone.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an implant/dermal acoustic computingsystem 300 in accordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG.3, implant/dermal acoustic computing system 300 includes implant/dermalacoustic computing element 200 inside a patient 302, a control system303 formed from an external transducer 304 and control electronics 306,externally applied input acoustic signals 308, and acoustic computingelement generated acoustic signals 310, configured and arranged asshown. Implant/dermal acoustic computing element 200 is surgicallyimplanted in patient 302. External acoustic transducer 304 is applied tothe exterior of patient 302. An impedance matching gel (not shown) maybe applied to acoustically interface external acoustic transducer 304 topatient 302, thereby facilitating the transmission and reception ofacoustic vibration from patient 302 and external acoustic transducer304.

External acoustic transducer 304 provides externally applied acousticsignal 308, which provides both energy and instructions/information toimplant acoustic computing element 200. In some embodiments, thisacoustic emission may be focused, which is shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 bythe curvature of the lines that represent externally applied acousticsignals 308 and computing element generated acoustic signals 310, 310Aand 310B. Focusing the acoustic emission concentrates energy and enablesthe detection of very small amplitude signals. This further allowsexternal acoustic transducer 304 to pump a large volume of acousticenergy into implant/dermal acoustic computing element 200 very rapidly,and concentrate the input acoustic energy to a very small volume.

Implant acoustic computing element 200 receives the externally appliedacoustic signals 308 and transforms them to electric power to operateimplant acoustic computing element 200. In addition, signal processor206 (shown in FIG. 2) of implant acoustic computing element 200interprets any information contained in externally applied acousticsignals 308. Signal processor 206 of implant acoustic computing element200 responds by emitting acoustic computing element generated acousticsignals 310, which propagate through patient 302 and are received byexternal acoustic transducer 304 and interpreted by control electronics306. Thereby, acoustic computing system 300 exchanges informationbetween the outside of patient 302 and the inside of the patient 302where acoustic computing element 200 is located.

FIG. 4 illustrates a more detailed example of how control electronics306 (shown in FIG. 3) may be implemented as a computer system 306Aincluding an exemplary computing device (“computer”) 320 configured totransmit and receive electronic signals from external acoustictransducer acoustic 304 (shown in FIG. 3) in accordance with the presentdisclosure. In addition to computer 320, exemplary computer system 306Aincludes network 334, which connects computer 320 to additional systems(not depicted) and may include one or more wide area networks (WANs)and/or local area networks (LANs) such as the Internet, intranet(s),and/or wireless communication network(s). Computer 320 and additionalsystems are in communication via network 334, e.g., to communicate databetween them.

Exemplary computer 320 includes processor cores 322, main memory(“memory”) 328, and input/output component(s) 330, which are incommunication via bus 332. Processor cores 322 includes cache memory(“cache”) 324 and controls 326, which include components configuredcommunicate with and control acoustic computing element(s) 200 (shown inFIG. 1), which will be described in more detail below. Cache 324 mayinclude multiple cache levels (not depicted) that are on or off-chipfrom processor 322. Memory 324 may include various data stored therein,e.g., instructions, software, routines, etc., which, e.g., may betransferred to/from cache 324 by controls 326 for execution by processor322. Input/output component(s) 330 may include one or more componentsthat facilitate local and/or remote input/output operations to/fromcomputer 320, such as a display, keyboard, modem, network adapter, etc.(not depicted).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an acoustic computing network 500 inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 5, acousticcomputing network 500 includes a first implant/dermal acoustic computingelement 200A inside patient 302, a second implant/dermal acousticcomputing element 200B inside patient 302, a third implant/dermalacoustic computing element 200C inside patient 302, a fourthimplant/dermal acoustic computing element 200D inside patient 302,control system 303 formed from external transducer 304 and controlelectronics 306, externally applied input acoustic signals 308, andacoustic computing element generated acoustic signals 310A, 310B,configured and arranged as shown. Acoustic computing network 500 issimilar to acoustic computing system 300 with the addition of thenetwork of acoustic computing elements shown at 200A, 200B, 200C and200D.

In acoustic computing network 500, individual acoustic computingelements (200A-200D) may communicate directly with each other and withexternal acoustic transducer 304. Individual acoustic computing elements(200A-200D) may additionally have specialized functions. Examplesinclude acoustic computing elements with a master-slave relationship,sensor monitoring, data collection and medication dispensing.Communication topography between individual acoustic computing elements(200A-200D) may follow a hierarchical arrangement or a mesh.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an acoustic computing network 500Ahaving implant and dermal acoustic computing elements (200A-200D) inaccordance with one or more embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6, acousticcomputing network 500A includes a first implant/dermal acousticcomputing element 200A inside patient 302, a second implant/dermalacoustic computing element 200B inside patient 302, a thirdimplant/dermal acoustic computing element 200C inside patient 302, afourth implant/dermal acoustic computing element 200D inside patient302, a dermal acoustic computing element 200E located on, within orunder the dermas of patient 302, a control system formed from externaltransducer 304 and control electronics 306, externally applied inputacoustic signals 308, and acoustic computing element generated acousticsignals 310A, 310B, configured and arranged as shown. Acoustic computingnetwork 500A is similar to acoustic computing network 500 with theaddition of dermal acoustic computing element 200E located on, within orunder the dermas of patient 302. Dermal acoustic computing element 200Emay function in the same manner as the above-described implantedacoustic computing elements 200A-200D. Dermal acoustic computing element200E is more easily accessed than implanted acoustic computing elements200A-200D. Although only one dermal acoustic computing element 200E isillustrated, acoustic computing network 500A may include more than onedermal acoustic computing element 200E, and the additional dermalacoustic computing elements may communicate with each other as well asimplanted acoustic computing elements (200A-200D) and external acoustictransducer 304. For embodiments wherein dermal acoustic computingelement 200 E is provided on patient 302, one or more dermal acousticcomputing elements may be provided as wearable electronic devices, suchas a pendant or wristband in contact with patient 302. In such anembodiment, the wearable electronic devices can power and communicatewith each other, and the power source (e.g., external acoustictransducer 304) and the acoustic computing elements may be in contactwith the dermis of patient 302.

Although the present disclosure is primarily disclosed in connectionwith use in human subjects, the teachings of the present disclosure maybe used in organisms that include but are not limited to animals,reptiles and invertebrates. Additionally, the implant medium may be anaqueous environment or body of water, including oceans, lakes, streamsand ponds. In this case one or more transducers are placed in the bodyof water and read from a surface area. In some cases the externaltransducer may be immersed in the body of water. The implant medium mayalso be a pliable solid body such as a gel. The actual medium may be anyvirtually any material as long as one or more acoustic computingelements can be substantially immersed therein and the material ispartially transparent to acoustic signals while the external transduceris placed in proximity to the surface of the material.

Thus it can be seen from the foregoing detailed description that thepresent disclosure provides a number of technical benefits. Input andoutput acoustic transmissions carry both energy and data efficientlywith relatively low attenuation. Energy and data acoustic transmissionscan also occur between the implant/dermal acoustic element, creating acommunications network that operates through a medium. Theimplant/dermal element, after being powered up is free to performsensory operations, perform actions such as dispensing, or simply returninformation.

The disclosed acoustic computing system/network is inherently privatebecause it cannot be read or perturbed without the knowledge, consentand cooperation of the patient. Acoustic vibrations (e.g., in theultrasonic range) are extremely safe for living organisms. Usingacoustics to transmit energy/data allows the delivery of high amplitudeacoustic vibrations/signals into the system. The implant/dermal acousticcomputing elements can store energy, and their power consumption istypically low. Thus, a significant percentage of the input acousticenergy can be stored, thereby allowing an implant/dermal acousticcomputing element to run for a very long time (e.g., a year) withoutneeding an additional charge-up. Thus, the disclosed acoustic-basedsystems demonstrate significant persistence. To conserve power, thepresent disclosure may be configured to send and receive acousticvibration/signals at low amplitudes when power is scarce, and can sendand receive acoustic vibration/signals at higher amplitudes when poweris abundant. For example, communications between implant/dermal acousticcomputing elements would be carried out at lower amplitudes, andcommunications involving the external acoustic transducer would becarried out at higher amplitudes.

Acoustic transmissions may be focused, which concentrates energy andenables the detection of very small amplitude signals. This furtherallows the external acoustic transducer to pump a large volume ofacoustic energy into the implant/dermal acoustic computing elements veryrapidly, and concentrate the input acoustic energy to a very smallvolume.

In some embodiments, various functions or acts may take place at a givenlocation and/or in connection with the operation of one or moreapparatuses or systems. In some embodiments, a portion of a givenfunction or act may be performed at a first device or location, and theremainder of the function or act may be performed at one or moreadditional devices or locations.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thepresent disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the disclosure and the practicalapplication, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art tounderstand the disclosure for various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There may be manyvariations to the diagram or the steps (or operations) described thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For instance, theactions may be performed in a differing order or actions may be added,deleted or modified. Also, the term “coupled” describes having a signalpath between two elements and does not imply a direct connection betweenthe elements with no intervening elements/connections therebetween. Allof these variations are considered a part of the disclosure.

It will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing system configured to operate at leastpartially through a medium, the computing system comprising: a firstacoustic computing element; said first acoustic computing elementconfigured to receive, through the medium, input acoustic vibration;said first acoustic computing element further configured to convert afirst portion of said input acoustic vibration to energy that powers anoperation of said first acoustic computing element; said first acousticcomputing element further configured to convert a second portion of saidinput acoustic vibration to stored energy of said first acousticcomputing element; said first acoustic computing element furtherconfigured to convert a third portion of said input acoustic vibrationto a first input data that is processed by said first acoustic computingelement; and said first acoustic computing element further configured togenerate and transmit a first output acoustic vibration based on saidfirst input data.
 2. The computing system of claim 1 further comprising:a control system configured to operate external to the medium; whereinsaid control system is further configured to transmit said inputacoustic vibration into said medium to said first acoustic computingelement; and wherein said control system is further configured toreceive said first output acoustic vibration.
 3. The computing system ofclaim 2, wherein: the medium comprises a live organism; and said firstacoustic element is configured to be implanted within said liveorganism.
 4. The computing system of claim 2, wherein: the mediumcomprises a live organism; and said first acoustic element is configuredto operate either within, under or on a dermis of said live organism. 5.The computing system of claim 1, wherein said first acoustic computingelement further comprises a first sensor configured to measure aparameter of the medium.
 6. The computing system of claim 5, whereinsaid parameter of the medium comprises at least one of a concentration,a temperature, a pressure, a force, a magnetic field, an electric field,a biomarker and a chemical potential.
 7. The computing system of claim1, wherein said first acoustic computing element further comprises afirst actuator configured to interact with the medium.
 8. The computingsystem of claim 7, wherein said interaction comprises at least one of amechanical interaction or an electrical interaction.
 9. The computingsystem of claim 1 further comprising: a second acoustic computingelement; said second acoustic computing element configured to receive,through the medium, said input acoustic vibration; said second acousticcomputing element further configured to convert a fourth portion of saidinput acoustic vibration to energy that powers an operation of saidsecond acoustic computing element; said second acoustic computingelement further configured to convert a fifth portion of said inputacoustic vibration to stored energy of said second acoustic computingelement; said second acoustic computing element further configured toconvert a sixth portion of said input acoustic vibration to a secondinput data that is processed by said second acoustic computing element;and said second acoustic computing element further configured togenerate and transmit a second output acoustic vibration based on saidsecond input data.
 10. The computing system of claim 9, wherein saidfirst acoustic computing element is further configured to receive,through the medium, supplemental input acoustic vibration from saidsecond acoustic computing element.
 11. The computing system of claim 10,wherein said first acoustic computing element is further configured toconvert a first portion of said supplemental input acoustic vibration tosaid stored energy of said first acoustic computing element.
 12. Thecomputing system of claim 10, wherein said first acoustic computingelement is further configured to convert a second portion of saidsupplemental input acoustic vibration to said energy that powers saidoperation of said first acoustic computing element.
 13. The computingsystem of claim 10, wherein said first acoustic computing element isfurther configured to convert a third portion of said supplemental inputacoustic vibration to a supplemental input data that is processed bysaid first acoustic computing element.
 14. The computing system of claim13, wherein said first acoustic computing element further comprises afirst actuator configured to interact with the medium.
 15. The computingsystem of claim 9, wherein: the medium comprises a live organism; andsaid first acoustic element is configured to operate either within,under or on a dermis of said live organism.
 16. The computing system ofclaim 9 further comprising: a control system configured to operateexternal to the medium; wherein said control system is furtherconfigured to transmit said input acoustic vibration into the medium tosaid first acoustic computing element and said second acoustic computingelement; and wherein said control system is further configured toreceive said first output acoustic vibration and said second outputacoustic vibration. 17-20. (canceled)